Edward Willett's Blog, page 31
August 6, 2014
Another great review for Shadows…
Another good review for Shadows, over at Crystal Book Reviews:
“Adventure, battles, scenes of devastating power and ruthlessness, mistakes galore, kindness, compassion, love, and so much more fill these pages which will be sure to delight every fan of fantasy, science fiction, adventure, thrillers and mysteries!”
August 2, 2014
Early review for Shadows gives it five stars–higher than Masks
Shadows releases August 5, and one of the first to review it, Candace over at Candace’s Book Blog, has given it five stars, rating at as better than Masks:
“This book, to me, was EPIC. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. I devoured it in two sittings and thought about it when I slept, or I should say,tried to sleep…
“This is a book where the characters are well done and the world building is fantastic as well…
“This book had me fully emotionally invested and at one point I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat, and I was sitting on the couch! It’s an intense ride but very well done and in my opinion this series doesn’t have nearly as much attention as it should have. This is the second book but it’s even better than the first, which is rare!…
“Raw, powerful, emotional and intense. Shadows is a book that captivated me from page one and had me literally on the edge of my seat. A year until the next book?! It’s going to be a long year, I need it NOW!”
July 29, 2014
Kirkus Reviews likes Twist of the Blade even more than Song of the Sword
The first review of Twist of the Blade has shown up, and it’s a good one. Kirkus Reviews says:
The sequel to Song of the Sword (2014) improves on its foundation….Willett realistically explores the difficulties Ariane and Wally face and paints Rex Major in such a light that readers may be unsure as to whether he is a master manipulator or misunderstood hero…Engrossing and more nuanced than its predecessor. (Fantasy. 12-16)
And if you like, you can preorder now from Coteau Books!
July 23, 2014
They’re here! Copies of Shadows arrive…
Look what I got in the mail today…coming to a bookstore near you August 5!
Here’s the copy from the front flap:
In Masks , the first novel in The Masks of Aygrima , Mara Holdfast’s life changed forever. As the daughter of the Autarch’s Master Maskmaker, she had a clearly defined future: working with her father to make the Masks that must be worn by all adults–Masks imbued with a magic that would reveal any treasonous thought about the ruling Autarch. But when her own Mask cracked and fell to pieces during her Masking ceremony, Mara was exiled from everything she once knew. Rescued by an underground rebel group known as the unMasked Army, Mara was recruited to their cause when she learned the shocking truth about the Autarch’s reign. In a moment of crisis, Mara drew upon a volatile magical talent neither she nor her allies could understand or control.
In Shadows , Mara faces staggering new challenges as she struggles to master her terrifying, almost addictive ability to use all types of magic–and to rip magic from those around her to fuel her power.
When Chell, a young man from across the sea, is shipwrecked and washed ashore outside the rebels’ hidden base, it signals the first contact in centuries with the world beyond the borders of the Autarchy of Aygrima. But whether Chell and his people will help the unMasked Army or betray them to the Autarch is very much in question. His arrival, and Mara’s own need for answers that can only be found in the capital city of Tamita, sparks a covert mission to the seat of the Autarch’s power. It is there that an act of unspeakable brutality tips Mara dangerously close to madness…and in the midst of a desperate and bloody battle, she discovers just how horrifying her power can be…
July 5, 2014
Twist of the Blade now has its own page at Coteau Books
Coteau Books has a great website with pages for all of their books…and the page for Book 2 of my YA fantasy series The Shards of Excalibur, Twist of the Blade, is now live! You can download a high-res version of the cover art and pre-order the print or ebook version right from that page.
Here’s the description:
Having saved the first Shard of the sword Excalibur from internet mogul Rex Major (aka Merlin), Ariane and Wally are on the lookout for the second. Wally’s worried that the power of the first Shard is already changing Ariane, giving her the strength to do both good and evil…and when she seriously hurts his bullying sister Flish, it seems he might be right.
Twist of the Blade releases to the public on September 15…just in time for my appearance at Word on the Street in Saskatoon!
June 30, 2014
Read the first two chapters of Shadows
A month ago I posted the first chapter of Shadows, the second book in The Masks of Aygrima. Now we’re just about a month from the actual release of the novel, and so, as promised, I’ve posted a second chapter.
You can read the first two chapters of Shadows here.
Watch for a chance to win an autographed copy of the novel, coming as soon as I have some copies to offer…
June 27, 2014
Another chance to read Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star for free…
My daughter Alice (newly fledged teenager) is a big fan of Wattpad, and has begun posting her own writing there (alicehasreadit is her account, and trust me, the kid’s got promise). I’ve poked around at it and thought it might be an interesting place to try to snare a few new readers, so by way of giving it a go, I’ve created an account (EdwardWillett) and have begun serializing Andy Nebula: interstellar Rock Star:
If you need incentive, check out this recent review on Amazon from Hard Sci-Fi Guy:
“I was expecting this book to be a tongue in cheek novel about a bunch of weird aliens and, instead, the author gave me a great story with a plot that me wondering how it would turn out. Definitely give it a try.”
Heed his advice!
June 22, 2014
One Song of the Sword signing down, two to go
I had a great signing of Song of the Sword Chapters Regina on Saturday–lots of people stopped to talk, and sold about a dozen books over the three hours, which is pretty good for these sorts of things.
Next Saturday, June 28, I’ll be in Saskatoon, reading and signing at McNally Robinson at 1 p.m., then moving over to Indigo for 4 to 6 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
June 17, 2014
RT Book Reviews names Shadows a Top Pick in Fantasy for August
RT Book Reviews Magazine has named Shadows one of its “Top Picks” in Fantasy for August, with a glowing 4 1/2-star review (the same rating given to Masks, which was also shortlisted for Best Fantasy Novel of 2013 in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Awards).
The review isn’t online yet (although as you can see, I have a copy forwarded to me by my Penguin publicist), but I couldn’t be happier with it. Written by Annalee Schuck, it says:
“Fans of Masks will not be disappointed with Blake’s amazing sequel, Shadows. The magic continues in this enthralling adventure, grabbing the readers’ interest and holding it until th final page. Each chapter brings a new twist in the already sensational story. Blake creates the perfect mix of adventure and romance as the main character, Mara Holdfast, struggles to come of age in a world that is quickly changing. Mara’s struggle is relevant to readers of any age.”
Nice!
Shadows comes out on August 5.
